A busy night around town last night; thank goodness it wasn't raining anymore. At Il Mulino, we were proud to gather five of the region's top construction names, speaking before another 40 industry execs about topics du jour like opportunities and risks of Federal work, increased competition in the commercial market, and trends in sustainability. Then it was off to see a new Harris Teeter on Capitol Hill, then a prep session for the JDRF games. In other words, we spent the night, as usual, finding parking spaces.

Construction All Stars: Bozzuto Construction Company president Mike Schlegel, Smith Pachter McWhorter litigation guru Mark Hanson, Tishman Constructionregional head Steve Dalton, Buch Construction's Carl Buch, and Grunley Construction's Ken Grunley. Ken tells us that in his 30-plus years in the biz, he's noticed a certain trend: every change of administrations, construction slows... temporarily. Steve says that when it comes to bidding on jobs, construction companies know that volume doesn't equal profit, so no surprise companies aren't out bidding on every job that comes around. Mark tells us Smith Pachter's busy working with client Dulles Rail on Hot Lanes, while personally he's looking forward to a family trip to Europe to celebrate his daughter's high school graduation. Carl just got back from fishing in Costa Rica with dad Jim, who founded Buch Construction in 1984.

Also on hand for the construction symposium (and we're not saying because it was followed by a fantastic tasting of five Italian wines sponsored by our friends at Destination Cellars):Grunley's Joel Zingeser, Strelmark business consultant-to-the-stars Hilary Bruggen Fordwich, Total Engineering's Greg DeWeese, Smith Pachter McWhorter name partner Val McWhorter, and Dulles Transit Partners' Jorge Martinez. Jorge says since the Federal Transit Authority just approved the final design for Dulles Metro Rail, things will now start moving. Val and his wife just got back from The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island, shooting golf and catching rays.

Turner's Greg Hammer, Argy Wiltse & Robinson's Jeff Schragg, Crystal City BID CEO Angela Fox, andTurner's Joel Causey. Jeff and Joel, who both who sit on the board of Arlington's Synetic Theater, were quick to note their favorite theatre just won six Helen Hayes awards. Angela reminds us to keep our eyes out as we drive through Crystal City for their new airplane statues that salute the area's aeronautic heroes: Reagan National, Boeing, and Lockheed.

Dietze Construction Group's Dave Handy, Smith Pachter's Brian Vella, and Destination Cellars Jussi Roy. Dave's a Dietze newbie, telling us he just joined the company two weeks ago from HC Handy. Jussi says Destination Cellars has 110 winery partners around the world from whom clients choose a high-end vineyard vacation.

IS HARRIS TEETER THE NEW WHOLE FOODS?

That's sure what it seems like, and sure enough, JPI has delivered a great new 270k mixed-use space near 13th and Penn, SE, with Harris Teeter as anchor tenant. Above, JPI's Brad Tollefson and Jennifer Walton show off the 47k SF store and 247 unit condos.

McWilliams Ballard's own Ross McWilliams (in the back wearing a red tie) surrounded by some of his many colleagues on the project, like JPI development manager John Begert and Merrick Towle's Shelley Flenniken. Do you know McWilliams Ballard (they do sales & marketing for residential projects) was founded in 1996, has sold 18,000 units since then, and is currently working on 64 projects? Well, now you do!

LET THE JDRF GAMES BEGIN!

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's 19th annual real estate games at American University are still three weeks away, but the trash talking has already begun. Fighting words flew at the JDRF captain's kick-off party last night in the atrium of the Old Ebbitt Grill downtown, and we were there to scout the favorites in some of the 60 events.The games are expected to draw 1,400 participants from 150 real estate and construction companies, and raise $400,000.

CBRE senior project coordinator Nicole Thomas and SVP Sherry Cushman, and Davis communications coordinator Lisa Viancourt. Sherry, in her 17th year as event director, is the Jim Thorpe of the real estate world. She's a former NFL Punt, Pass and Kick regional champion, and at age [national security deletion] can still throw a softball 62 mph (that's 90 mph in baseball). She called out Grubb & Ellis managing director Keith Lipton (formerly of CBRE), telling him to "bring it." Nicole's a three-time three-legged race champion, and says she'll make it four because she's been practicing in the office for weeks.

Monument marketing manager Tasha Stancill, Davis marketing director Louise Boulton-Lear, Monument's Pam Zandy and Donohoe director of business development Charlie Mead. Tasha says her team "invented" foosball (like Al Gore "invented" the Internet), and will defend its title because it practices year round on an office table. Charlie pulled a Joe Namath and guaranteed Donohoe will repeat as tug-of-war champion. He says the JDRF will test for steroids this year, but his squad hasn't juiced in months.

KTA DC office co-director Derek Gallardo (with his best game face) and CBRE associate broker Nate Beach. Derek, a five-time competitor and three-time volunteer coordinator, fancies himself a foosball fiend. Even though his team didn't place last year, he says Monument is going down. Oh, it's on.

WORLD'S BEST VIEW (USUALLY)!

This was technically two nights ago, that's why it's rainy in the background, obscuring the best view in the city. If you can't tell, it's the great event space, "Top of the Town," in Arlington (1400 N 14th Street in Arlington if you haven't been). From left: Reston Limo's Kristin Tanzi, R & R Catering's Laura Ritchie, Calkain's Rick Fernandez and Amy Bishop, and CBRE's Harry Dematatis.

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